Shaq Goodwin had two points and four rebounds in Team USA's win over Brazil Monday.

June 18, 2012

Sao Sebastiáo do Paraiso, BRAZIL -
University of Memphis incoming freshman Shaq Goodwin had only two points and four rebounds while playing in foul trouble throughout USA Basketball's U18 squad's 83-64 win over host Brazil at the 2012 FIBA Americas Championship Monday. The contest was the final one for both teams in Group A pool play.

With the win, the U.S. closed pool play with a perfect 3-0 record. Team USA and Brazil advanced to the championship bracket semifinals Tuesday.The U.S. faces Argentina (2-1), second-place finishers in Group B, in the 4 p.m. (CT) semifinal game. Canada (3-0) earned Group B No. 1 seed and meets host Brazil in the other medal-round semifinal contest at 7 p.m. (CT).

Goodwin, who netted double figures in Team USA's first two games, was plagued by foul trouble the entire contest. The Decatur, Ga., native picked up two fouls in the first quarter and played limited minutes the remainder of the contest. He finished the game with just under 11 minutes played.

Jarnell Stokes led Team USA with 22 points and eight rebounds. Julius Randle was the team's only other double-figure scorer with 15 points. Jerami Grant pulled down seven boards, while Marcus Smart dished out a team-best six assists.

The U.S. grabbed a 22-14 lead by the end of the first period, and then took control of the contest in the second quarter, out-scoring Brazil 27-14 to build a 49-28 lead by halftime. Stokes led the Americans in the first half with 14 points and five boards.

The host team came out hot after the break and outscored the U.S. 19-12 in the third quarter, cutting Team USA's advantage to 14 points at 61-47 heading into the final period. The U.S., though, responded with solid play in the fourth quarter to secure the 83-64 victory.

Team USA shot 50 percent from the floor, and held Brazil to 34.7 percent (25-of-72) from the field. The U.S. shot only 57.1 percent from the free throw line (12-of-21), but Brazil didn't perform much better from the charity stripe at 58.8 percent (10-of-17).

After two games of dominating the glass versus the Virgin Islands and Mexico, the Americans had a battle on the boards with Brazil, holding a narrow 43-39 edge. The U.S. dished out 15 assists and forced 16 Brazil turnovers. Team USA held advantages in fastbreak points (28-17), points off turnovers (20-9) and second-chance points (13-9).